Meter register



Dec. 19, 1944. BARNES 2,365,510

IETER REGISTER Filed 001;. 22, 1942 INVENTOR '7 ZonasflBarnas.

WI-W

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 19, 1944 MET-ER REGISTER Thomas D. Barnes, WestOrange, N. J., assignor to Westinghouse Electric & ManufacturingCompany, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporatio of Pennsylvania ApplicationOctober 22, 1942, Serial No. 463,001

9 Claims. (Cl. 235-9 1) This invention relates to counter devices, andit has particular relation to jump coimter devices or cyclometerregisters for integrating meters.

In reading counter devices, such as cyclometer registers, errors inreading are difllcult to avoid during-the period required for thecounter device or cyclometcr register to change from a first quantity toa second quantity. The possibility of such errors is increased by theprovision in the gearing of the counter device or cyclometer register ofsubstantial backlash in order to decrease the friction and-possibilityof sticking of the register.

In order to decrease the probability of erroneous readings, jump-typecounter devices have been constructed. Such counter devices decreasesubstantially the time required for the counter device to change from afirst quantity to a second quantity. Because of their complexity andincreased friction, jump-type counter devices have not been generallyadopted.

In accordance with the invention, a counter device, such as a cyclometerregister, is provided with a driven member which is rotated in apredetermined normal direction by a driving member. Conveniently, bothmembers may be mounted on a common shaft for independent rotation abouta common axis. The driven member is em-,

ployed for actuating the counter device or cyclometer register.

Jump action of the counter device or cyclometer register is effected byproviding a lost-motion-coupling between the driving and driven.members. The driven member is weighted or biased to oppose rotation ofthe driven member in its normal direction of rotation until the counterdevice or cyclometer register is about to change from a first quantityto a second quantity. At this time, the weight or bias changes itsbiasing direction to urge the driven member in its normal direction ofrotation. Consequently, the weight or bias rapid y u es the drivenmember in its normal direction of rotation for a distance equal to thatpermitted by the lost-motioncoupling. This distance is suflicient topermit actuation of the counter device or cyclometer register from. afirst quantity to a second quantity. I

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to Other objects of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a cyclometer register embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a detail view in perspective of a portion of the cyclometerregister illustrated in Fig. l; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are views in perspective with parts broken away ofcyclometer registers embodying modified forms of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 shows a cyclometer register havingfour counter wheels I, 3, 5, and 1. Each of these wheels includes a disk9 which is mounted for rotation on a shaft II. For this purpose, thedisk 9 may be provided with a hub H! which serves to mount the partsmounted for rotation about a common axis.

disk rotatably on the shaft H, and which serves additionally to spacethe disk from adjacent parts of the cyclometer register.

Each of the counter wheels also includes a cylindrical rim 15 which iscarried by the disk 9,

and which forms therewith a cup or drum structure. The rim may be coatedwith a layer i1 of material, such as white lacquer, to form a suitablebackground for indicia I9 which may be printed thereon. In the specificembodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the indicia on each of the counterwheels take the form of 10 numbers, 0 to 9, inclusive, which are equallyspaced about the cylindrical surface of the counter wheel.

In operation, the counter wheel 'I is actuated in the direction of thearrow 2|. For each full revolution of the counter wheel I, the counterwheel 5 is actuated in the same direction for an angular distance equalto the spacing between successive numbers thereon. Similarly, thecounter wheel 3 is actuated by the distance between successive numbersthereon for each revolution of the counter wheel 5, and the counterwheel I is actuated by the distance between successive numbers for eachrevolution of the counter wheel 3. Therefore, the counter wheels I, 3,5, and 1 may be designated, respectively. thousands, hundreds, tens,"and units" counter wheels.

During the rotation of the counter wheels, each counter wheel presentsthe numbers thereon successively at a viewing point in the form of awindow 23 in a face plate 25 which is illustrated in broken lines. InFig. 1, the counter wheels are positioned to indicate the quantity 9,999through the window 23.

For transmitting motion from one counter wheel to a succeeding counterwheel, a plurality of pinions 21, 29, and 3! are mounted for independentrotation about a shaft 33. The pinion i1 is positioned between thecounter wheels I and 3 for engaging gear teeth 35 formed on the counterwheel I and a pair of gear teeth 31 and 39 formed on the counter wheel3. Similarly, the pinion 29 engages the gear teeth 35 on the counterwheel 9 and the gear teeth 31 and 39 on the counter wheel 5. The pinion3i engages similar gear teeth on the counter wheels 5 and 1. For guidingthe pinions, each pinion is provided with a web M which has itsperiphery positioned between the associated pair of counter wheels.

The pinions and gear teeth are so proportioned that for each revolutionof one of the counter wheels, such as the counter wheel 1, the two gearteeth 31 and 39 on the counter wheel 1 engage the pinion 3| to rotatethe counter wheel 5 for a distance equal to the angular spacing betweensuccessive numbers on the periphery of the counter wheel 5. In order toprevent movement of the pinions between the'periods of engagement of thegear teeth 31 and 39 therewith, extensions d3 are formed on alternateteeth of each of these pinions. These extensions 43 project from themain body of the pinion sufficiently to engage the disk 9 of theassociated counter wheel. Since two of the extensions normally overliethe disk 9 of the associated counter wheel and are positioned adjacentthe surface thereof, such extensions prevent rotation of the pinion. Topermit rotation of each pinion when the associated gear teeth 3i and 39are in position to actuate the pinion, a groove 5 (see Fig. 2) ispositioned in each of the disks 9 to receive one of the extensions 53 ofthe associated pinion. Consequent- 1y, for each revolution of a counterwheel, such as the counter wheel 1, the associated pinion 3i rotatessufficiently to advance the succeeding counter wheel 5 an angulardistance equal to the spacing between successive numbers on theperiphery thereof. The construction of the oyclorneter register thus farspecifically described is well known in the art.

For actuating the cyclorneter register, a driving gear 61 may be mountedon the shaft i I for rotation with respect thereto. This driving gearmay be coupled for rotation in accordance with any desired quantity. Inthe specific embodiment of Fig. 1, the gear 41 is coupled throughsuitable gearing 9 to the shaft 5! of a watthour meter. Rotation of thedriving gear 41 by the shaft of the watthour meter is assumed to be inthe direction of the arrow 54.

The driving gear 51 is coupled to the counter wheel "i through asuitable lost-motion coupling. Conveniently, this lost-motion couplingmay take the form of a pin 52 attached to the driving gear is? andmovable into engagement with either of two abutments 55 or 51 carried bythe counter wheel '3. These abutment-s may constitute the end walls of aslot 52. The lost-notion coupling is proportioned to permit rotation ofthe counter wheel 2 independently of the driving gear 5 for an angulardistance equal to the spacing between successive numbers on the counterwheel.

For actuating the counter wheel I for the angular distance permitted bythe lost-motion coupling, the counter wheel is provided with a weightwhich is unbalanced with respect to the shaft ii. Conveniently, theunbalanced weight may be produced by means of a weight St which isattached to or formed in the counter wheel 1. In a simplifiedconstruction, the disk 3, rim

l5, abutments I5 and 91, weight II, and hub ll all may be formed into aunitary counter whed by a die-casting operation.

The weight unbalance is designed to urge the abutment 55 against the pinII as the counter wheel 1 approaches the position at which the genteeth31 and 39 engage the pinion 3! to transfer rotation to the succeedingcounter wheel I. In Fig. 1, the weight it is shown in the position whichit occupies immediately prior to the engagement oi the pinion ll by thegear teeth 91 A and 39.

As the driving gear 41 continues to rotate, the weight Si is carriedpast its highest position and operates to urge the abutment 51' towardsthe pin 53. Since the only opposition to such movement of the counterwheel is that resulting from the small friction of the cyclometerregister, the movement takes place with extreme rapidity. The motionpermitted by the slot 59 is sumcient to move the succeeding counterwheel or wheels to the next successive position or positions thereof.Because of the rapidity of this movement, errors in the reading of theregister are substantially eliminated.

It is believed that the operation of the cyclometer register illustratedin Fig. 1 is apparent from the foregoing description. Assuming that theparts of the register are in the positions illustrated, the register isabout to change mm a reading of 9,999 to a reading of 10,000 (which isindicated by four ciphers) In this position 0! the parts, the weight ofthe counter wheel 1 exerts a torque biasing the counter wheel in adirection opposite to that of the arrow 2! to maintain 3the abutment 55in engagement with the pin 5 As the driving gear 41 rotates, the weightI is carried beyond its highest position and thereafter biases thecounterwheel 1 in the direction of the arrow ii to bring the abutment 51into engagement with the pin 53. Since this movement of the abutment 61into engagement with the pin 53 occurs with extreme rapidity, thecyclometer register changes to its new reading 10,000 with suflicientrapidity to preclude the probability of an error in reading theregister.

As the driving gear 41 continues its rotation, the weight 5| maintainsthe abutment 51 in engagement with the pin 53 until the weight reachesits lowest position. Thereafter, the counter wheel 1 is held stationaryby the weight 5| until the driving gear 41 has moved the pin 53 intoengagement with the abutment 55. At this point, the counter wheel 1resumes its rotation in the direction of the arrow 2! until the number 9thereon again is presented at the window 23. This cycle of operation ofthe counter wheel 1 is repeated as the driving gear 41 continues torotate.

It will be observed that the counter wheel 1 does not rotate at a rateproportional to the rate of rotation of the shaft 5! of the watt-hourmeter. When the weight 9i passes its highest point, the counter wheel isurged rapidly irom the position presenting the number 9 at the window 23to a position presenting the number 0 at the same point. Also, when theweight 5! reaches its lowest position, the counter wheel 1 remainsstationary until the pin 53 has moved from the abutment 51 to theabutment 55. For these reasons, a small error may be present in the reading of the cyclometer register. Since this error corresponds to only oneunit of the counter wheel 1, and since the operation of the cyclomterregister precludes larger errors in reading the counter wheels 'I, 3 and5, the register of Fig. 1 represents a distinct advance over prior artcyclometer registers.

It should be observed further that the abutments 55 and 51 and theweight BI may be located within the space enclosed by the rim I5. Forthis reason, the improved cyclometer register of Fig. 1 requiressubstantially no more space than aprior art cyclometer register.Furthermore, with the exception of the standard pinions 21, 29, and M,the parts of the cyclometer register are mounted for rotation about thesingle shaft II. This construction avoids the complexity and increasedfriction resulting from the association of parts with additional shafts.

In the modification of Fig. 3, the counter wheels I, 3, and 5 again areassociated with the pinions 21, 29, and 3| in the manner discussed withreference to Fig. 1. However, the rim I5 of the counter wheel I isdetached from the disk 9 illustrated in Fig. 1, and is attached to agear 63 which corresponds to the gear 41 of Fig. 1. In Fig. 3, acoupling member 65 which may be similar to the disk 9 of the counterwheel I of Fig. l is mounted for rotation on the shaft II. This couplingmember B5 cooperates with the pinion 3| to advance the counter wheel 5in the same manner that the disk 9 of the counter wheel "I in Fig. 1cooperates with the pinion 3|. It will be observed that the couplingmember 65 is provided with the weight BI for urging the counter wheelsI, 3, and 5 rapidly through a change from one quantity to the nextsucceeding quantity indicated thereby.

A lost-motion coupling is provided between the coupling member B5 andgear 53 which corresponds to the lost-motion coupling between thecounter wheel 'I and the driving gear 41 of Fig. 1. Such lost-motioncoupling is represented by a pin B1 which is carried by the couplingmember 65 and which has an and projecting into a slot 69 formed in thegear 63.

It is believed that the operation of the modi fication illustrated inFig. 3 is clear from the discussion of the modification of Fig. 1. InFig. 3, the gear 63 is rotated continuously in accordance with therotation of the shaft SI of the watthour meter. Consequently, the rim I5is carried with the gear 63 to indicate at all times the unit values ofthe quantity to be indicated by the cyclometer register.

With the parts in the positions illustrated in Fig. 3, further motion ofthe gear 63 should result in rotation of the counter wheels I, 3, and 5to their next successive positions. Such motion of the gear 63 carriesthe weight BI in Fig. 3 past its highest point. The gear BI then urgesthe pin 61 from the position in the slot 69 which it occupies in Fig. 3to the opposite end of the slot. Such motion of the pin is suflicient topermit the coupling member 65. operating through the pinion 3I toactuate the counter wheels I, 3, and 5 to their nextsuccessive'positions.

In the modification of Fig. 3, it will be observed that the unit counterwheel represented by the rim I5 at all times presents the correct unitvalue of the quantity bing counted. If desired, the coupling member 65may carry a shield or mask II which covers the number of the unit rim Ias the number 0 approaches the window 23 of'the face plate 25. when thecoupling member 65 rotates to advance the counter wheels I, 3, and 5, itcarries the mask II away from the number 0 of the unit rim I5 to exposethis num- Fig. 4 discloses a construction which is simllar to that ofFig. 2 except for the relationship between the counter wheel I and thedriving gear 41. In Fig. 4 a shaft IIA, a counter wheel IA, a drivinggear "A and a pin 53A are provided which correspond to the shaft II, thecounter wheel I, the driving gear 41 and the pin 53 of Fig. l. The pin53A is movable in a slot 59A formed in-the countervwheel IA, this slotcorresponding to the slot 59 of Fig. 1-.

Instead of the weight Bl of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 includes a weight BIA whichis attached to a lever BIB mounted for rotation about the shaft IIA.This lever BIB is movable from a position wherein it engages the pin 53Ato a position wherein the weight BIA engages an abutment BIC carried bythe counter wheel IA.

With the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 4, I the counter wheel IAis about to change from a position exposing the numeral 9- through thewindow- 23 to a position exposing the cipher through the window. As thedriving gear continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow 54 thepin 53 advances the counter wheel IA and the lever BIB sufllciently tocarry the weight BIA beyond its highest position. Under the influence aof gravity the weight BIA then moves towards the abutment BIC. Theimpact of the weight BIA on the abutment BIC advances the counter wheelIA rapidly for the distance permit ted by the slot 59A. This distance issufllcient to expose the cipher through the window.

When the driving gear "A has advanced sufficiently to bring the weightBIA to its lowest position, the weight remains stationary until itssupporting lever BIB is reengaged by the pin 53A.

If the counter wheel IA is substantially bal anced the slight frictionof the register suffices to maintain the pin 53A at the proper end ofthe slot 59A immediately prior to the point at which the weight BIAreaches its highest position. If desired, the counter wheel IA at thispoint'may have a slight unbalance urging the counter wheel in adirection opposite to that of the arrow 54,

Since the weight BIA falls freely through an are which may be of theorder of substantial kinetic energy is developed thereby. For thisreason the weight BIA may be somewhat smaller than the weight BI of Fig.1.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certainspecific embodiments thereof, numerous modifications are possible.Therefore, the invention is to be restricted only by the appendedclaims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a counter device, a rotatable member, means mounting saidrotatable member for rotation about an axis, said rotatable memberhaving indicia angularly spaced about said axis to be successivelydisplayed by said rotatable member as said rotatable member rotatesadjacent a viewing point, and means for actuating said rotatablemember'i'roma first position displaying a first indicium at said viewingpoint to a second position displaying a second indicium at said viewingpoint, said last-named means comprising driving means mounted forrotation about said axis, said rotatable member and said stitutinglost-motion coupling means coupling said driving means to said rotatablemember,

' said lost-motion coupling means permitting rotation of said rotatablemember about said axis independently of said driving means for anangular distance equal to the spacing of said positions, and meansresponsive to rotation of said rotatable member for urging saidrotatable memher from said first position towards said second positionwhen said rotatable member arrives at said first position.

2. In a counter device, a plurality of counter wheels, means mountingsaid counter wheels for rotation about'an axis, said counter wheelsbearing indicia angularly spaced about said axis for successivepresentation at a viewing point as said counter wheels rotate, meanscoupling said counter wheels for advancing a first one of said counterwheels by the angular distance between successive indicia thereon foreach revolution of a second one of said counter wheels, said couplingmeans being effective only for a rotation of said second counter wheelequal to the angular spacing between predetermined successivelyviewedindicia thereon, and means for actuating said second counter wheel, saidlast-named means comprising driving means rotatable about said axis forrotating said second counter wheel, lost-motion coupling means rotatableabout said axis for coupling said driving means to said second counterwheel, said lost-motion coupling means permitting rotation of saidsecond counter wheel independently of said driving means for a distanceequal to the spacing of said predetermined successively wlewed indiciathereon, and biasing means responsive to rotation of said second counterwheel for opposing rotation of said second counter wheel in apredetermined direction of rotation when said predetermined successiveindicia are in advance of said viewing point, and for urging said secondcounter wheel in said direction of rotation when the first of saidpredetermined successive indicia arrives at said viewing point, wherebysaid second counter wheel advances rapidly for the distance between saidpredetermined successive indicia.

3. In a counter device having a first counter wheel and a second counterwheel, means mounting said counter wheels for rotation about a commonaxis, spaced indicia on each of said counter wheels positioned forsuccessive movement past a viewing point as said wheels rotate, andcoupling means for coupling said second counter wheel to said firstcounter wheel for moving said second counter wheel in response tomovement of said first counter wheel for a portion only of eachrevolution of said first counter wheel, means for increasing therapidity of motion of said first counter wheel during said portion ofeach revolution, said means comprising driving means rotatable aboutsaid axis for rotating said first counter wheel, said driving means andsaid first counter wheel having interfitting parts constitutinglost-motion coupling means for coupling said driving means to said firstcounter wheel, said lost-motion coupling means permitting rotation ofsaid first counter wheel independently of said driving means for anangular distance about said axis equal to'said portion of a revolution,said first counter wheel having a weight distribution biasing said firstcounter wheel against said driving means in advance of said portion of arevolution, and biasing said first counter wheel in its normal directiondriving means having interfitting parts conof rotation when said firstcounter wheel reaches said portion of a revolution, whereby said counterwheels move rapidly through said portion of a revolution. 4

4. In a counter device having a plurality of counter wheels, a pluralityof spaced indicia on each of said counterwheels arranged for successivepresentation at a viewing point as each of said counter wheels rotates,means mounting said counter wheels for rotation about an axis, and meanscoupling said counter wheels for advancing a first one of said counterwheels for an angular distance equal to the spacing of the indiciathereon in -response to each revolution of a second one of said counterwheels about said axis, said coupling means being effective for only aportion of a revolution of said second counter wheel, means for rotatingsaid second counter wheel in a predetermined normal direction, saidlast-named means comprising driving means mounted for rotation aboutsaid axis,

lost-motion coupling means coupling said driv ing means to said secondcounter wheel, said lost-motion coupling means comprising interfittingparts on said driving means and on said second counter wheelproportioned for permitting motion of said second counter wheelindependently of said driving means for an angular said portion of arevolution, whereby said un- I balanced weight operates said secondcounter wheel rapidly for the angular distance required to advance saidfirst counter wheels.-

5. Ina counter device, a plurality of counter wheels, means mountingsaid counter wheels for rotation about an axis, said counter wheelshaving spaced indicia positioned to be successively viewed as saidcounter wheels rotate adjacent a viewing point, and coupling meansbetween said counter wheels for rotating a first one of said counterwheels in response to movement of a second one of said counter wheels,said coupling means comprising a coupling member, means mounting saidcoupling member for rotation about an axis, means effective for aportion only of each revolution of said coupling member for couplingsaid first counter wheel for rotation by said coupling member,lost-motion coupling means coupling said coupling member to said secondcounter wheel for rotation in a predetermined direction, saidlost-motion couwhereby said biasing means actuates said coupling memberto take up the lost motion between said coupling member and said secondcounter wheel during said portion of each revolution of said couplingmember.

6. Ina counter device, a'plurality of counter wheels, means mountingsaid counter wheels for rotation about a common axis, said counterwheels having spaced indicia on their rims positioned to be successivelyviewed as said counter wheels rotate adjacent a viewing point, means forrotating a first one of said counter wheels to bring the indicia thereonsuccessively adjacent said viewing point, and means effective only assaid first counter wheel during each revolution thereof moves a firstdistance corresponding to the angular distance between a predeterminedpair of indicia thereon for rotating a second one of said counter wheelsfor an angular distance equal to the spacing between successive indiciathereon, said last-namedmeans comprising a coupling member mounted forrotation about said axis, lost-motion coupling means coupling saidcoupling member to said first counter wheel for rotation in apredetermined direction, said lost-motion coupling means comprisinginterfitting parts on said coupling member and said first counter wheelproportioned for permitting rotation of said coupling memberindependently of said first counter wheel for an angular distance equalto said first distance, said coupling member having a weight unbalancedabout said axis, said weight being distributed to carry the center ofgravity thereof past its highest portion at the time said means forrotating said second counter wheel is rendered 'efiective, whereby saidweight rapidly actuates said coupling member for the distance permittedby said lost-motion coupling.

'7. The counter device of claim 1 wherein the last-named means includesa weight member mounted for rotation about said axis and having a weightunbalanced about said axis, said driving means including means urgingsaid weight member about said axis to a position wherein said weightmember possesses maximum potential energy when said rotatable memberarrives at said first position, whereby said weight member falls througha predetermined path under the influence of said potential energy, saidrotatable member having a portion in said path for engagement by saidweight member, whereby v said weight member actuates said rotatablemember rapidly from said first position towards said second position.

8. In a counter device, a plurality of counter wheels, means mountingsaid counter wheelsv thereon, and means for actuating said secondcounter wheel, said last-named means comprising driving means rotatableabout said axis for rotating said second counter wheel, lost-motioncoupling means for coupling said driving means to said second counterwheel, said lost-motion coupling means comprising interfitting parts onsaid driving means and said second counter wheel proportioned forpermitting rotation of said second counter wheel independently of saiddriving means for a distance equal to the spacing of said predeterminedsuccessively viewed indicia thereon, and means for urging said secondcounter wheel rapidly through the angular spacing between saidpredetermined successively viewedindicia, said last-named meanscomprising a weight member mounted for rotation about said axis andhaving a weight unbalanced about said axis, said driving means includingmeans for rotating said weight member to a position of substantialpotential energy at the time said second counter wheel is to movebetween the viewing positions of said predetermined successively viewedindicia, and thereafter permitting said weight member to rotate througha path under the influence of gravity, said second counter wheel havingan element positioned in said path of rotation of said weight member,whereby said weight member rapidly moves said second counter wheel forthe distance permitted by said lost-motion coupling.

9. In a counter device, a plurality of wheel members, means mountingsaid wheel members for rotation about a predetermined axis, at leastcertain of said wheel members bearing indicia spaced angularly aboutsaid axis for successive presentation at a viewing point as said wheelmembers rotate, means coupling said counter wheels for advancing a firstone of said indiciabearing wheel members by the angular distance betweensuccessive indicia thereon for each revolution of a second one of saidwheel members, said coupling means being effective only for apredetermined fraction of each revolution of said second wheel member,and means for actuating said second wheel member, said lastnamed meanscomprising a driving member mounted for rotation about said axis,lost-motion coupling means for coupling said driving member to saidsecond wheel member, said lostmotion coupling means comprisinginterfitting elements on said driving member and on said second wheelmember proportioned to permit rotation of said second wheel memberrelative to said driving member for an angular distance about said axisequal to said predetermined fraction, said second wheel member having asubstantial weight with its center of gravity displaced from said axisfor releasing substantial potential energy as said second wheel memberenters said fraction of each revolution, whereby rotation of saiddriving member stores in said second wheel member substantial potential'energy which is released as said second wheel member enters saidfraction of each revolution to move said second wheel member rapidly forthe p ne moms in. BARNES.

distance permitted by said lost-motion cou-

